DeKalb Times

City of Sycamore City Council met Nov. 18.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

ROLL CALL

Mayor Braser called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and City Clerk Mary Kalk called the roll. Those Alderpersons present were Nancy Copple, Jeff Fischer, Pete Paulsen who arrived at 6:00 pm but after roll call, Virginia Sherrod, Chuck Stowe, Alan Bauer, and Ben Bumpus. Alderperson Alicia Cosky was absent. Attorney Keith Foster was also present.

INNVOCATION led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Alderperson Virginia Sherrod

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve the agenda and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

AUDIENCE TO VISITORS

Chuck Shepard, Shepard Construction, 2400 Coltonville Road, asked the council to support item “G” recommendations for building codes. He anticipates that DeKalb County and City of DeKalb will be voting on it soon.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of the Minutes for the Regular City Council Meeting of November 4, 2024.

B. Payment of the Bills for November 18, 2024, in the amount of $1,216,284.86.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve the Consent Agenda and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

APPOINTMENTS

PRESENTATION, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS

A. Presentation by Executive Director Kim Halsey Regarding the Proposed 2025 Sycamore Public Library Budget and Tax Levy.

Sycamore Library Executive Director Kim Halsey noted that she will do a full presentation in January when she has year-end data. She reported, from the handout included here within, that they will keep the levy the same for the budget year 2025 with no increases and said she was present to answer any questions.

B. Presentation by City Manager Michael Hall Regarding Proposed 2025

City of Sycamore Budget and Tax Levy. City Manager Michael Hall gave his presentation from the PowerPoint included here within.

REPORT OF STAFF, COMMITTEES, AND CITY COUNCIL MEMEBERS

A. Monthly Financial Report

PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. A Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025 Budget and Property Tax Levy for the Sycamore Public Library.

Mayor Braser opened the Public Hearing at 6:43 pm and hearing no comment, closed the Public Hearing at 6:43 pm.

B. A Public Hearing on the Proposed 2025 Budget and Property Tax Levy for the City of Sycamore.

Mayor Braser opened the Public Hearing at 6:43 pm and hearing no comment, closed the Public Hearing at 6:43 pm.

ORDINANCES

A. Ordinance No. 2024.29 – An Ordinance Concerning the Adoption of the Combined Budget and Appropriation Ordinance for the Year 2025 in the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is the budget which is balanced but asked if the council wants to vote for the whole budget or separate the fire station to vote on separately.

Alderman Stowe suggested to vote on the budget and if anyone wants to make amendments they can as that is the parliamentary way of handling it.

B. Ordinance No. 2024.30 – An Ordinance Levying Taxes for Corporate Purposes of the City of Sycamore for the Year Commencing January 1, 2025, and Ending December 31, 2025. First Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that there is no change in the levy but would be the appropriate time to offer consensus or make a change.

C. Ordinance No. 2024.31 – An Ordinance Partially Abating the Debt Service Levy for the General Obligation Bond Issue Series 2017 Refunding Bond for the City of Sycamore, DeKalb County, Illinois for the Year 2024. First Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this is partially abating the debt service on the 2017 Bond with the levy amount of $155,000 which is required to be done by ordinance.

D. Ordinance No. 2024.32 – An Ordinance Amending Title 5, “Police Regulations,” Chapter 4, “Miscellaneous Offenses,” Section 12, “Alcoholic Liquor in Public,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said this is a new ordinance and explained that it prohibits drinking alcoholic liquor in public places, unless a city permit is issued and prohibits drivers or passengers unless in a limousine or charter as per the agenda.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.32 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION

Alderperson Copple motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.32 and Alderman Fischer seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

E. Ordinance No. 2024.33 – An Ordinance Amending the City of Sycamore Consolidated Fee, Bond, and Penalty Schedule. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that this approves the fee schedule however the highlight of changes was not included, which are the water fees, sewer rates that have previously been presented to council.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.33 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.33 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

F. Ordinance No. 2024.34 – An Ordinance Amending Title 3, “Business and License Regulations,” Chapter 17, “Restaurant, Bar, and Package Liquor Tax,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that there are no changes in fees or percentages, but that this cleans up the language under prepared food definition for off premises, on premises as per the agenda.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.34 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.34 and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

G. Ordinance No. 2024.35 – An Ordinance Amending Title 9, “Building Regulations,” Chapter 4, “Building Codes,” Section 1, “Building Code,” and Amending Title 9, “Building Regulations,” Chapter 4, “Building Codes,” by Adding a New Section 13 Entitled “Electric Vehicle Charging Act,” of the City Code of the City of Sycamore, Illinois. First and Second Reading.

City Manager Michael Hall said that Community Development Director John Sauter did a lot of work on this and explained that this changes 9-4-1 to inform the residents that the city’s adopted codes are available for viewing at the Community Development office in lieu of the City Clerk’s office. It also covers recommendations for the National Electric Code.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to waive First Reading for Ordinance 2024.35 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve Ordinance 2024.35 and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution No. 998 – A Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Sign a Settlement Agreement with CMN-RUS, Inc. (MetroNet) to Terminate the Non-Exclusive Cable Television Franchise Ordinance in the City of Sycamore, Illinois.

City Manager Michael Hall said the city currently has a franchise agreement with MetroNet that expires 4-16-2028, however, they will be ceasing the cable television offerings in all communities and only be offering streaming. This will buy out the remaining agreement for $18,803.72.

MOTION

Alderman Bauer motioned to approve Resolution 998 and Alderman Stowe seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSIDERATIONS

A. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Purchase Replacement Computers Using Funds Awarded through the IPRF Grant.

City Manager Michael Hall said they received a grant from IPRF (Illinois Public Risk Fund) for $34,945 for which will be used to replace 22 computers that were scheduled to be purchased next year. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 after May 2025 forcing the switch to Windows 11 which is not supported by the current computers. The $6,500 remaining from this grant will be added to the Police Department grant of $5,000 to purchase an upgraded drone which operates in inclement weather and has thermos-imaging unlike the current drone.

Alderman Stowe commended Management Analyst Jessica Lingle for getting the grant.

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

B. Consideration of an Administrative Recommendation to Award a Contract in an Amount Not to Exceed $172,000.00 to Insituform Technologies USA, LLC of Chesterfield, MO for the 2024 Sanitary Sewer Lining and Repair Project.

City Manager Michael Hall said that City Engineer Mark Bushnell did the bid opening for this project that includes televising, lining, repairing around Park Avenue and Somonauk Street. The bid came in at $114,000 but budget was at $172,000 so this is asking “not to exceed” the budgeted amount of $172,000 to be able to add more streets.

MOTION

Alderman Fischer motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Copple seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

C. Consideration of a Recommendation from the Engineering Department to Sign a Highway Authority Agreement with Sycamore BP, LLC for 441 W High Street.

City Manager Michael Hall said that Sycamore BP hired Eagle Environmental Consultants for some environmental investigations of soil borings and monitoring wells as explained in the agenda. This allows them to move forward.

MOTION

Alderman Bumpus motioned to approve the Consideration and Alderperson Sherrod seconded the motion.

ROLL CALL VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a roll call vote to approve the motion. Alderpersons Copple, Fischer, Paulsen, Sherrod, Stowe, Bauer, and Bumpus voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

OTHER NEW BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION

Alderman Stowe motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and Alderman Paulsen seconded the motion.

VOICE VOTE

Mayor Braser called for a voice vote to approve the motion. All Alderpersons voted aye. Motion carried 7-0.

https://www.cityofsycamore.com/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_12022024-328